A friend of mine is dying to get away and has asked me to join her for a week long vacation to Cancun. I have always been interested in history, ancient cultures, etc. I have been to Guatemala and Honduras and visited many Mayan sites there. Are the Mayan sites near Cancun any different? If my friend stays at the resort all day, how easy is it for a solo female to travel around Cancun if we stay in the hotel zone? Is there a bus that goes from here to any interesteing areas, what is the price? Besides Chichen Itza, Tulum and a Canapoy tour (three separtate day trips), I am looking for something to do on the other days I'm there. My friend has already told me, that she'll relax by the pool/beach during the day and I can wonder off and explore by myself. We'll meet for breakfast and dinner.

Take the ferry to Isla Mujeres.
Take a bus down to Playa del Carmen.

Merida is a very interesting colonial town, although it might require an overnight stay. Check some tour companies once you are there. Chichen, Uxmal, Tulum are marvelous Mayan ruins. I would bypass Playa del Carmen as it's crowded and conjested. Have fun!

I'm a big fan of taking guided tours. You hotel with have a tour desk in which you can sign up for tours of the Mayan ruins, ie; Tulum, Chichen Itza, Coba, etc. As well as other things that might interest you. I prefer going with a group and having a knowledgable travel guide that can tell me about the sites I'm seeing. Those sites are about a hour from Cancun so they will be all day trips.

Thank for the feedback.

I was wondering what the cost of the guided tours will be.

Which Mayan sights are worth visiting? I've been to lots in Guatemala and Honduras and would like to see different things, I was planning on going to Tulum and Chichen Itza, are these worth visiting. I was going to skip Coba and Uxmal.

Merida sounds interesting I will looking into this.

I haven't seen the Mayan ruins in Guatemala or Honduras, nor did I go to Coba, so can't comment on them or make comparisons to them. I found Uxmal spectacular - and quite different than the ruins at Tulum or chichen Itza. Enjoy!

you might like exploring the caves and cenotes. there are no ground water rivers in yucatan - all are under ground in cenotes. these were maya sites too.
you don't need to be able to swim to snorkel. the water is so salty that you just float. also you can wear a snorkel vest that is like a slimline lifepreserver. i do & i can swim. there is an amazing world under the surface and you'll be near one of the best in world spots.
there is a botanical garden just south of puerto morelos & an aviary in playacar.
or a tour of the sian ka'an biosphere: http://www.locogringo.com/past_spotlights/may2003.cfm
i don't like to shop that much but thought playa del carmen was fun for a couple hours. i bought xmas presents in the duty free silver & perfume shops.
tulum only takes a few hours so you may want to plan 2 things that day.
i believe merida would be a bit much for a day trip but valladolid is midwaay.
akumal is a fun small town to poke around for an hour or so.

Uxmal and the nearby Puuc cities were built in a distinctive style featuring highly detailed facades. Another city, about twenty miles from Chichen Itza, is Ek Balam, with has wonderful deep relief carving.

Tulum is in a spectacular location, but the architecture is nowhere near as distinguished as that at the other sites.

So you'll certainly have enough to do to fill your days.

If you're feeling extremely ambitious and adventurous, you could take a couple of days to see Palenque via a bus from Cancun.

Thanks for the feedback, now I feel better about going to Cancun, I didn't want to go and feel out of place.